LO 2022: Sabalenka beats Van Uytvanck in gripping match

Aryna Sabalenka has qualified for the semi-finals at the Libéma Open after a nerve-racking match. After a little over two hours of play, the tournament favourite defeated Alison Van Uytvanck 6-3 3-6 7-6(5).

Sabalenka trailed 3-1 in the first set against the world number 46, but then took control. By winning five games in a row, the top seed took the opening set.

Van Uytvanck, however, did not let this happen. The Belgian grass specialist came alongside, after which there was no service break in the third set. Although Van Uytvanck had to brush away two match points at 5-6, 15-40.

Sabalenka immediately opened a gap in the tiebreak to 4-0 and 5-1, but again her opponent proved to be tough. Van Uytvanck survived three more match points, but then the number six of the world decided the match.

In the semi-final Sabalenka meets Shelby Rogers. The American defeated Kirsten Flipkens (WTA-61), who is on a farewell tour in the singles that ends at Wimbledon, in three sets: 3-6 6-1 6-4.